This keto coleslaw recipe has extra flavor and crunch from the addition of dill pickles! This easy low carb side is super tangy and has only 3.6g net carbs per serving. Your family and friends will love it!
For years, readers have been asking me to post a recipe for keto coleslaw and I’ve always resisted. It’s not that I don’t like coleslaw, it’s just that I think of it as a bit boring. It’s just shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, and seasoning. We usually just toss these things together without measuring, and adjust to taste.
But this Dill Pickle Coleslaw is anything but boring and I may never make it any other way again. The flavor is so tangy, the salad is so crunchy, and the whole thing just lights up in your mouth.
It goes so well with all my favorite summer sides, from Dry Rub Keto Ribs to Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs. Now this is a coleslaw recipe I can get behind. Get it on your menu today, you won’t regret it.
Why you must try this recipe
Coleslaw is pretty keto-friendly from the get-go as long as you make it yourself. Some recipes and restaurants add sugar, which seems utterly unnecessary to me. And some conventional version have other higher carb additions like carrot or too much onion.
This Dill Pickle Slaw uses red radish for a pop of color and green onion to keep the carbs down. It takes plenty of chopped dill pickle along with a little pickle juice. Fresh garlic and dill round out the flavor profile.
It’s incredibly easy to make, so fresh and crunchy, and it lasts well in the fridge for up to 5 days. It doesn’t even lose much of the crunch while it sits!
Best of all, it has less than 6g total carbs per serving. So you can load up your plate and feel good about it.
Ingredients you need
- Cabbage: You can use pre-shredded cabbage or shred your own from a head of cabbage. If you have leftover cabbage, you can make Keto Pad Thai or my keto reuben casserole.
- Dill pickles: I used my own homemade refrigerator pickles, but any dills will do!
- Green onion: Scallions add a bit of bite and visual appeal.
- Red radish: These low carb veggies add color and crunch.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best for flavor, but you could sub in with powdered garlic if absolutely necessary.
- Fresh dill: Dried dill can be used in a pinch and you will only want half the amount. But fresh dill is key to making really good flavorful dressing.
- Mayonnaise: Be sure to read the labels on your favorite mayonnaise. Choose one that doesn’t add sugar or other sweeteners that increase the carb count.
- Pickle juice: A little brine from the pickles adds additional flavor. It also thins out the sauce so you don’t have to add as much mayonnaise.
- Dijon mustard: This brings out the tanginess.
- Salt and pepper
Step by Step Directions
1. Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cabbage, pickles, onion, radish, garlic, and dill. Toss to combine.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, and mustard until well combined. Pour over the cabbage mixture and mix well.
3. Chill: Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Tips for Success
Go sparingly on the salt and make sure you taste the coleslaw before adding it. The pickles and juice have plenty of salt as it is and draw out moisture from the cabbage. Add additional seasoning just before serving.
Check your pickles for any added sugars. Most dill varieties aren’t made with sugar but a few do add sugar as preservatives.
Save the brine from your jars of pickles because it’s useful stuff! You can use it to make things like this keto coleslaw, but it’s also great for brining meats. Use it for Pickle Brined Chicken Wings or the juiciest Grilled Pork Chops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conventional coleslaw recipes can have added sugars and other high carb additions. The best way to be sure safe is to make your own keto coleslaw. This dill pickle coleslaw recipe has no added sugar and is super flavorful and crunchy!
This keto coleslaw recipe has 5.8g of carbs and 2.2g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.6g net carbs per serving.
Yes! Radishes are low in carbs and appropriate for keto diets. One medium radish has only 0.2g of carbs where half of that is fiber. Radishes come in different varieties, where some offer a bit more spice and bite than others. So enjoy!
More summer salads to love
Keto Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces shredded cabbage
- ¾ cup chopped dill pickles
- 2 medium green onion, thinly sliced
- 4 medium red radish, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon pickle juice
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the cabbage, pickles, onion, radish, garlic, and dill. Toss to combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, and mustard until well combined. Pour over the cabbage mixture and mix well.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Kathy Cooke says
Excellent! Yummy with a satisfying crunch. So easy. Would look pretty with just a little bit of grated carrot for extra color. I used 4 large cloves of garlic, which was a bit too garlicky. Will use small cloves instead next time. It took half of a medium head of cabbage to get one pound shredded.
Linda Carol Howell says
I love this slaw!!! My non keto people did also. Chrunchy cool and delicious!
Carolyn says
Thank you!
Linda says
Makes a pretty salad that tastes delish! Thanks, Carolyn.
it’s also keto and healthy.
Lisa Gray says
I’m generally not a big fan of coleslaw, but this one sounded delicious, so I decided to give it a try. It’s absolutely fantastic!
Carolyn says
That’s exactly how I feel!
Sarah Giammarino says
I made a huge batch yesterday-so good!
May says
It was a hit at our July 4th cookout. I think next time I may replace the dill pickle juice with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
John-Mark says
WHY YOU MUST THIS RECIPE
Oops!
Lutrecia Macdonell says
Why can’t I ever print recipes from your site? I have been trying for a long time and none of the recipes will print. I can print recipes from other sites.
Thank you
Lutrecia
Tammy says
Maybe it’s your browser? I’m able to print her recipes, and just printed this Dill Cole Slaw recipe today.
Carolyn says
I sincerely don’t know, because I don’t have any issues. What happens when you hit print?
Kathy H says
Must be something on your end, I print a lot of her recipes, including this one.